To think Gogglebox is the sign of a deeply lonely society

[Pavementworrier]

The comfort of feeling like you're watching TV with friends or a beloved relative

Weep

I have watched it since the first ever series.

I know full well that the circles in which I live are unlikely to be representative of the UK as a whole. Gogglebox is one of the conduits I have to see how other people think and react. I am grateful for it.

Same

It’s not even funny anymore, they just shout along to what’s happening.

Same. I actually only got into the first series of Traitors thanks to it. I like Gogglebox, I'm certainly not lonely and nor do I view them as being my friends (Abi does my head in too much) but it's a non taxing thing to watch, which is sometimes all I need.

I think you are actually looking at a rather outdated form of social interaction - hardly anyone in my household watches TV together these days. How nice that would be, though.

When I have watched it is because they are watching and commenting on shows I may watch I watch it like any other show for entertainment

watching a show about serial killers does not mean I want to be one

That's how I feel about it. Back in the day you watched telly with a relative or a friend, and commented.

Am I the only one who finds it mind numbling boring?

Well clearly not. That's the whole premise of this thread!

You can be with people and lonely though, and you can be alone and not lonely.

My friend watches it (and the soaps) because she feels lonely in her family and it gives her company in the evenings whereas with something like a film, it doesn't feel the same to her, the people she watched nightly/weekly, do feel like her friends/family.

So, I don't think everyone watches it because they're lonely, there are lots of other reasons to watch it, but I think it does provide comfort/company for some people who are lonely.

YABU! I used to watch it in the very early series, sometimes with family, then discuss it at work. The opposite of lonely.
We watched it purely for entertainment as the commentary and conversations were comedy gold... and to count Sandra's rings.

You’re overthinking it.

I like Gogglebox: I think its good TV. But I do also think you have a point about the loneliness and atomisation that people feel in our society at the moment.

So many people struggling with physical interaction with others: the people who spend all their time on social media, the people shutting themselves in their homes and retreating away from real friendships, talking about how much they “hate people” etc.

It’s profoundly worrying and as a society I don’t think we have really grasped how serious it is.

It’s a sign that society has gone to the dogs IMO. Watching people on telly watching people watching telly?! Ffs.

Is it?

The opening post is questioning if it’s a coping mechanism for loneliness, and the replies following are stating they watch it purely for humour and entertainment purposes. Are we on the same thread?

I've had times in my life where my real in person relationships weren't doing it for me and I have gotten more satisfaction from things like this or characters in books. I didn't see these people or characters as actual friends at all but I preferred "spending time" with them rather than say making awkward conversations with acquaintances or people I didn't fit in well with.

This is a coping mechanism that I think most likely falls somewhere in-between a healthy one and a completely maladaptive one.

I think it’s great, it’s warm and funny and gives an insight into people from different cultures, places, backgrounds etc in a way that highlights the similarities and connections between us all in the UK in a time when divisiveness is increasingly pushed on us. Love it ❤️

This is a really interesting take.

I think the phenomenon you refer to is happening on a society-wide basis.

I don’t think Gogglebox is the worst example of this by a long shot, I think its good harmless fun. But I do think there’s a serious problem with the way we (people) relate to one another.

Well it is one of the only shows my teens will come and watch with me so one of the rare times when I am not sitting on my own watching tv and I am enjoying my kids laughing and commenting along with me

I feel lucky in that I wasn't so far gone that I couldn't transition back to having emotionally fulfilling relationships with real people when the opportunity presented.

Perhaps for some people that live lonely lifestyles for too long it becomes part of them. Like those people that claim to prefer being alone and don't like other people and friends just bring drama, I wonder if this is how that mindset started for them.

Gogglebox is worth watching for Giles and Mary's chair cover/wallpaper combination alone.

No. I've had more fun watching paint dry.

But from the producers' point of view, I imagine it's dirt cheap to make.

I understand your point, maybe, but I love gogglebox, I think for similar reasons to why I love MN - I am fascinated by how other people tick, what they think and do. Some of those families are like mine and others not at all, and I just enjoy their reactions, they make me laugh. I’m invested in some of them like I’d be invested in a character in a film that I like. I don’t see them as company! It’s a programme I go to if I want really easy watch where I don’t need to give it my full attention.

People connect with tv programmes on different levels. Some people watch soaps and become invested in the characters and plots. Reality tv and panel shows appeal to others. Documentaries or news feeds, there's something for everyone.

Watching tv is a passive activity. The engaging part is talking to others about what you watched or hearing recommendations from them. With over 8 million in the UK living alone, they will watch tv alone some/most of the time and multiple tv households will also have people who watch alone.

Loneliness is complex and I don't think this kind of 'fly on the wall' tv is indicative of a deeply, lonely society. It is a bit like a panel shows discussing current events but with 'ordinary people' sharing their views.

I don't think I would want to be friends with any of the gogglebox lot. I find them all very very annoying and over the top. Could never watch tv with people talking all the time and making silly faces and noises